Actuating mechanisms for electric clutch-brake motors



E. P. TURNER Oct. 8, 1957 ACTUATING MECHANISMS FOR ELECTRIC CLUTCH-BRAKEMOTORS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Dec. 12, 1952 IN V EN TOR.

ATTORNEY E. P. TURNER 2,809,308

BRAKE MOTORS Oct. 8, 1957 ACTUATING MECHANISMS FOR ELECTRIC CLUTCHOriginal Filed Dec. 12, 1952 2 SheetsSheet 2 m3 EN BY o gar? Fu'rmev 4 7TkNE Y United States Patent ACTUATING MECHAVESMS FDR ELECTRICCLUTCH-BRAKE MOTORS Edgar P. Turner, Watehung, N. J., assignor to TheSinger Manufacturing Company, Elizabeth, N. J., a corporation of NewJersey Original application December 12, 1952, Serial No. 325,583, nowPatent No. 2,717,967, dated September 13, 1955. Divided and thisapplication June 13, 1955, Serial No. 515,123

Claims. (Cl. 310-76} This invention relates to electric clutch-brakemotors or power transmitters connected to a heavy load which must berepeatedly started and stopped and this application is a division of mycopending application No. 325,583, filed December 12, 1952, now U. S.Patent No. 2,717,967, dated September 13, 1955. The invention relatesmore particularly to heavy duty clutch-brake motors provided with anaxially movable driven shaft wherein at least one end of the shaft ismounted in an axially movable control bearing.

An object of the invention is to provide a fluid pressure operatedactuating device for the clutch and brake mechanism.

Fig. l is an end view in elevation of a clutch-brake motor including oneembodiment of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a partial sectional view of the motor shown in Fig. 1 takensubstantially on line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical end view partly in section of a clutchbrake motorincluding a second embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 4 is a partial sectional view taken substantially on line 66 ofFig. 3.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, the first embodiment of theinvention as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is incorporated in a clutch-brakemotor constructed in accordance with my above identified patent andcomprises a frame or casing 10 in which is carried a motor stator 13 anda rotatably supported sleeve shaft 16 which is rigidly secured to amotor rotor 17 having a cylindrical portion 18 concentric with thestator 13. This structure forms a complete motor assembly 19. An axiallymovable and rotatable drive shaft 22 extends through the sleeve 16 andis journaled at its left end in a roller bearing (not shown) carried bythe casing 10. Since the present invention relates to the clutch andbrake mechanism and the device for moving the driven shaft 22 axially,it is not believed that a further description of the overall structureof the clutch-brake motor is necessary. For a more detailed descriptionreference may be made to my above identified U. S. Patent No. 2,717,967.

The right hand end of the casing 10, as viewed in Fig. 2, carries abrake ring 27 and a protective cover or backing ring 28. Four screws 29extend through clearance holes in the brake ring 27 .and the backingring 28 and are threaded into the casing 10 to hold the brake ring andbacking ring firmly in place on the end of the casing 10. Four brakeadjusting screws 30 are equally spaced around the backing ring 28 andpass through clearance holes in the backing ring 28. The screws 30 arethreaded through threaded holes in the brake ring 27 to engage the endsurface of the casing 10. Lock nuts 33 hold the screws 30 in theiradjusted positions. The brake ring 27 is provided with a pilot portion34 which enters a counterbore 35 in the end of the casing 10 to maintainthe brake ring 27 concentric with the casing 10. A counterbore 36 isformed in the outer face of the brake ring 27 and receives an annularlip 37 formed on the backing ring 28. A flexible diaphragm 38 has itsouter edge positioned in the counterbore 36 and is securely clamped inplace by the lip 37 on the backing ring 28. The diaphragm may be madefrom any relatively thin sheet material, such as steel or copper and iscorrugated, as shown in the drawings, to provide greater flexibility. Acircular center opening is provided in the diaphragm substantiallyconcentric with the corrugations to permit an anti-friction bearing 39to be placed concentric with the corrugations.

A control bearing assembly for moving the shaft 22 axially comprises abearing holder cup assembly 40 fastened to the bearing 39 and the centerportion of the diaphragm 38. The cup assembly 40 comprises a baseportion 41 having a bearing receiving bore 42; the base portion 41 beingsecurely fastened to one side of the diaphragm 38. A guide and clampingring 43 is positioned against the other side of the diaphragm 38 and isprovided with a center bore 44 which is coaxial with and of the samediameter as the bore 42 in the base portion 41. The ball bearing 39 isprovided with rolling elements 45 positioned in the bores 42 and 44 andhas an outer race 46 seated against a shoulder 47 in the base portion41. The bore 44 in the ring 43 receives a control cap 48 which is heldagainst the outer race 46 of the bearing 39 by a retainer ring 49. Longscrews 59 pass through the retainer ring 49, clamping ring 43 anddiaphragm 38 and are threaded into the base portion 41 to hold the cupassembly 40 tightly together. This construction holds the bearing 39securely positioned with respect to the diaphragm 38. Further, it shouldbe noted that a plane passing through the edge of the central opening inthe diaphragm 38 also passes through the center of each of the rollingelements 45 of the bearing 39. The driven shaft 22 is provided with areduced diameter portion 51 and a threaded portion 52 on its right end,as viewed in Fig. 2. A hub 53 and spacing sleeve 54 are positioned onthe shaft portion 51. The bearing 39 is provided with an inner race 55which is positioned on the threaded portion 52 of the shaft 22 and heldfirmly against the sleeve 54 by a nut 56 and lockwasher 57. Thus, thebearing 39 and the holder cup assembly 40 cannot move axially relativeto the shaft 22. A disc 58 is fastened to the hub 53 and carries aclutch facing 59 on one side and a brake facing 60 on the other side.The brake facing 60 is engageable with a stationary brake surface 61 onthe brake ring 27 and the clutch facing 59 is engageable with a clutchsurface 62 on the rotor 17.

The driven shaft 22 can be moved axially by means of an actuatingmechanism disposed at the right end of the motor as viewed in Fig. 2.The control or actuating mechanism comprises a lever 63 which ispivotally fastened to two ears 64 and 65 formed on the control cap r Oneend of the lever engages a pin 66 carried by two bosses 67 and 68 formedon the backing ring 23. A leaf type spring 69 has one end secured to thelever 63 by a clamp 70 and screw 71 and the other end of the springengages the pin 66 approximately diametrically opposite to the end ofthe lever 63. Two brake springs 72 and '73 are seated in sockets 74 and75, respectively, formed in the backing ring 28 and engage pilot studs'76 fastened to a cross member 77. The cross-member 77 and springs '12and 73 are located with one spring engaging the crossmember on each sideof the lever 63. An adjusting screw 78 passes through a threaded hole 79in the lever 63 and has a pilot end portion 80 engaging the cross-member77. The pilot studs 76 and the pilot end portion 313 of the brake springadjusting screw 78 hold the springs 72 and 73 in their correct positionswith respect to the lever 63.

The embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is provided with a fluid controldevice to control the engagement of the clutch and brake. A bellows S2of the Sylphon type has one end clamped between the clamping ring 43 andthe retainer ring 49 and the other end clamped to the backing ring 28 bya clamping ring 83 and screws 84. The space 35 between the diaphragm 38and the backing ring 28 forms a fluid tight chamber into which fluidunder pressure can be introduced and exhausted, through tubes 86 and 36and a control valve 37. The tube 86 can be connected to any suitablesource of fluid under pressure (not shown).

In operation, when the valve 87 is set to admit fluid under pressureinto the chamber 85, the force of the fluid causes the diaphragm 28 toflex toward the left as viewed in Fig. 2, moving the shaft 22 also tothe left until the clutch facing 59 engages the clutch surface 62. Ofcourse, the movement of the shaft 22 to the left causes correspondingmovement of the bearing support cup assembly d drawing the lever 63against the force of the springs 72 and 73. When the valve 87 is movedto cut off the fluid pressure supply and exhaust the chamber 85, thecompressed springs '72 and 73 move the lever 63 and the driven shaft 22to engage the brake facing 60 with the brake surface 61. It isunderstood that any suitable valve device can be used for the valve 87.It should be noted that the seal 32 is sufliciently flexible to perm-itthe bearing 39 to align itself by flexing the diaphragm 33, ifnecessary, with a minimum of resistance being offered by the seal 82.

Of course, it will be apparent that with minor valve changes, the tube86 can be alternately connected to a source of fluid pressure and avacuum, whereby the clutch is engaged by fluid pressure and the brake isengaged when the tube $6 is connected to the vacuum. Further, only minormodifications are required to place a seal similar to the bellows 82between the bearing cup 4-1 and the brake ring 27 and introduce fluidpressure through suitable valve means on the right of the diaphragm 38,as viewed in Fig. 2, whereby both the clutch and the brake can beengaged and released by fluid pressure means. Obviously, the actuatinglever 63 and the brake springs 72 and 73 can be eliminated in the aboveconstruction.

The second embodiment of my invention, shown in Figs. 3 and 4, issimilar in general construction to the embodiment shown in Figs. 1-2'inclusive and the same numerals have been used to identify similarparts. The primary difference between the first embodiment and thissecond embodiment is in the fluid control mechanism which isparticularly adapted for hydraulic operation. A flanged support cap 88is fastened. to the backing ring 89 by screws 99 which pass through theflange of the cap A hydraulic cylinder 91 is fastened securely'in acentral opening in the cap 88. A piston 92 and packing Washer 93 aredisposed within the cylinder 91 and are fastened to the control cap 94by a screw 95 and a washer 96. Fluid is introduced into the cylinder 91through a tube 97 fastened to the end of the cylinder 91. Pressure canbe applied to fluid in the tube 97 and cylind-er 91 by a master cylinder98 fastened to the tube 97. T he master cylinder 98 comprises a piston99 fitted in a cylinder body 100 and pivotally fastened to a lever 16?.which is pivoted to the master cylinder body 100. Four brake springassemblies 102 are equally spaced around the cylinder 9i and normallyhold the brake surfaces engaged. The spring assemblies each comprise astud 103 which is threaded onto the end of a bolt 104 extending throughthe bearing cup 105 diaphragm 2t? and rings 43 and The studs 103 andbolts 104 clamp the bearing support cup assembly 106 firmly together.Each stud 103 protrudes through a clearance hole 107 in the support cap88 and is surrounded by a coil spring 08 having one end resting on thesupport cap and the other end engaging a washer 109 adjustably held onthe stud 103 by a nut 110.

The operation of this embodiment is similar to tie operation of thefirst embodiment. Assumingthat the lever 101 and the piston 99 areraised as shown in Fig. 6, and the cylinders 91 and 100 and tube 97 arefull of liquid, the springs 108 hold the cup assembly 106 and drivenshaft 22 as shown in Fig. 5, with the brake facing in engagement withthe brake surface 61. When a force is applied to the lever 101 to urgethe piston 99 downwardly, the force is transmitted through the fluid tothe cylinder 91 to urge the piston 92 to the left, as shown in Fig. 6 toengage the clutch facing 59 with the clutch surface 62. Upon release ofthe force from the lever 101, the springs 108 cause the clutch todisengage and the brake to engage.

Having thus described the nature of the invention, what I claim hereinis:

1. A unitary electric power transmitter comprising a frame, an electricmotor stator and an electric motor rotor carried by said frame, arotatable driven shaft carried by said frame and axially movablerelatively thereto, a clutch face on. said rotor, a brake member carriedby said frame, a clutch-brake disc fastened to said driven shaft, saiddisc being disposed between said clutch face and said brake member andadapted to be engageable with said clutch-face and said brake member, anexpansible chamber fluid motor having a movable wall, means securingsaid expansible chamber fluid motor to said transmitter frame, meansoperatively connecting said movable chamber wall to said driven shaftfor moving said shaft axially in one direction, spring means operativelyconnected to said driven shaft for moving said driven shaft axially inthe opposite direction, means for supplying fluid to said expansiblechamber, and treadle operated means for developing the pressure appliedto said fluid.

2. A unitary electric power transmitter comprising a frame, an electricmotor stator and an electric motor rotor carried by said frame, arotatable driven shaft carried by said frame and axially movablerelatively thereto, a clutch face on said rotor, a brake member carriedby said frame, a clutch-brake disc fastened to said driven shaft, saiddisc being disposed between said clutch face and said brake member andadapted to be engageable with said clutch-face and said brake member, afluid pressure cylinder carried by said transmitter frame. a pistondisposed within said cylinder for reciprocation, means operativelyconnecting said piston to said driven shaft for causing said shaft tomove axially upon recipro-- cation of said piston, fluid pressure meansfor moving said piston, a master cylinder having a movable piston forapplying pressure to said fluid pressure means, and operator actuatedmeans for moving said piston in said master cylinder.

3. A unitary electric power transmitter comprising a frame, an electricmotor stator and an electric motor rotor carried by said frame, a drivenshaft, bearing means carried by said frame for rotatably supporting saiddriven shaft, said bearing means being movable axially relatively tosaid frame and fixed against axial movement relative to said driven.shaft, a clutch face on said rotor, a brake member carried by saidframe, a clutch-brake disc disposed between said clutch face and saidbrake member, said disc being fastened to said driven shaft and adaptedto engage said clutch face and said brake member, an expansible chamberfluid motor having a movable wall, means securing said expansiblechamber fluid motor to said transmitter frame, means operativelyconnecting said movable chamber wall to said bearing means for movingsaid bearing means axially in response to movement of said movable wall,fluid pressure means for moving said wall, a master cylinder having amovable piston for applying pressure to said fluid pressure means, andoperator actuated means for developing the pressure for moving saidpiston in said master cylinder.

4. A unitary electric power transmitter comprising a frame, an electricmotor stator and an electric motor rotorcarried by said frame, a drivenshaft, bearing means carried by said frame for rotatably supporting saiddriven shaft, said bearing means being movable axially relatively tosaid frame and fixed against axial movement relatively to said drivenshaft, a clutch face on said rotor, a brake member carried by saidframe, a clutch-brake disc disposed between said clutch face and saidbrake member, said disc being fastened to said driven shaft and adaptedto engage said clutch face and said brake member, an actuating leverpivotally carried by said transmitter frame, means operativelyconnecting said lever to said bearing means for axial movement of saidbearing support when said lever moves about its pivot, an expansiblechamber fluid motor having a movable Wall, means securing saidexpansible chamber fluid motor to said transmitter frame, meansoperatively connecting said movable chamber wall to said lever and saidbearing means for moving said lever about its pivot and said hearingmeans axially in response to movement of said movable wall, a fluidpressure means for moving said wall, and manually actuated meansprovided for developing the pressure in said fluid pressure means.

5. A unitary electric power transmitter comprising a frame, an electricmotor stator and an electric motor rotor carried by said frame, a drivenshaft, bearing means carried by said frame for rotatably supporting saiddriven shaft, said bearing means being movable axially relatively tosaid frame and fixed against axial movement relatively to said drivenshaft, a clutch face on said rotor, a brake member carried by saidframe, a clutchbrake disc disposed between said clutch face and saidbrake member, said disc being fastened to said driven shaft and adaptedto engage said clutch face and said brake member, a hydraulic cylindercarried by said transmitter frame, a movable piston disposed in saidcylinder, the longitudinal axis of said piston and cylinder beingcoaxial with the axis of rotation of said driven shaft, connecting meanssecuring said piston to said bearing means, fluid pressure means formoving said piston and said driven shaft in one direction, means tocontrol the pressure of said fluid pressure control means, and springmeans for moving said driven shaft in a direction opposite to said onedirection.

References Cited in the file of this patent UiJITED STATES PATENTS2,039,128 Tiedeman Apr. 28, 1936 2,510,917 Turner et a1. June 6, 19502,627,370 Crum Feb. 3, 1953 2,717,967 Turner Sept. 13, 1955 FOREIGNPATENTS 712,690 Germany Oct. 31, 1941

